Emergency shelter 

 

Homeless Shelter Directory 

• Find a shelter near you at https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/state/massachusetts  

​

Department of Housing and Community Development 

Call (866) 584-0653 for assistance.

​

Families facing a housing crisis may be deemed eligible if they meet the following criteria: 

• Resident of Massachusetts 

• Meet the gross income standards for Emergency Assistance 

• Have needy children under the age of 21, or be pregnant 

​

The reason for homelessness is one of the following: 

• No-fault fire, flood, natural disaster, condemnation, or foreclosure 

• Fleeing domestic violence (current or within past 12 months) 

• No-fault eviction 

• Children are exposed to a substantial health and safety risk 

​

Rental Assistance 

 

Emergency Rental Assistance Program 

The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program provides short-term emergency funding to help you with eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies.

​​

Apply at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-apply-for-emergency-housing-payment-assistance​